In-season NBA news thread

Cellar-Door

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He could still have broken team policy, been justifiably suspended, and had a consensual relationship. They aren't mutually exclusive.

Did Stephen A publicly retract anything? That would be a first

Woj makes it sound like Ime was offered several Head Coaching opportunities (but Woj has been working hard for Ime the entire time)
Stephen A.... of course not. But Woj and a couple others who re-tweeted it deleted the tweets, and a bunch of people with Celtics ties came out really strongly against it.

The best piecing together of rumors I've seen has been that he likely had a consensual relationship with a co-worker not in his direct reports that the team cleared reluctantly, and when it ended he didn't handle it well, and kept contacting her over a significant period of time despite her asking him not to, until she reported it to HR, and an investigation showed that he had behaved in ways that violated the sexual harassment policies. We'll never know exactly what the details are, but it seems from both sides that after the initial leaks they've settled into "he did something he shouldn't have, it was not just having a consensual relationship, we all agree never to say exactly what, and not to reveal who the woman in question was, and in return everyone's dirty laundry stays covered up and nobody sues anybody."
 

benhogan

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Stephen A.... of course not. But Woj and a couple others who re-tweeted it deleted the tweets, and a bunch of people with Celtics ties came out really strongly against it.

The best piecing together of rumors I've seen has been that he likely had a consensual relationship with a co-worker not in his direct reports that the team cleared reluctantly, and when it ended he didn't handle it well, and kept contacting her over a significant period of time despite her asking him not to, until she reported it to HR, and an investigation showed that he had behaved in ways that violated the sexual harassment policies. We'll never know exactly what the details are, but it seems from both sides that after the initial leaks they've settled into "he did something he shouldn't have, it was not just having a consensual relationship, we all agree never to say exactly what, and not to reveal who the woman in question was, and in return everyone's dirty laundry stays covered up and nobody sues anybody."
That sounds about right.

Kind of closes the whole IME/Celtics chapter which is fine by me.
 

ifmanis5

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LOL. Justice and deserved. He killed them most of the year with his awful shooting anyway. They will be better without him. Where does he go next is an interesting question.
 

CaptainLaddie

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LOL. Justice and deserved. He killed them most of the year with his awful shooting anyway. They will be better without him. Where does he go next is an interesting question.
The honest answer is: the Lakers.

To his credit, LeBron has shown zero qualms with teaming up with some his past foils (Rondo, for example), and Brooks *is* a good player. He needs a fresh start -- and a humbling one -- the Lakers could be the perfect place for him to do a 1-year make-good deal.
 

JCizzle

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The honest answer is: the Lakers.

To his credit, LeBron has shown zero qualms with teaming up with some his past foils (Rondo, for example), and Brooks *is* a good player. He needs a fresh start -- and a humbling one -- the Lakers could be the perfect place for him to do a 1-year make-good deal.
I imagine it's not very accurate, but I think it's amusing that basketball-reference lists Semi Ojeleye and Thon Maker as two of the most similar players to his career.
 

bellowthecat

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The honest answer is: the Lakers.

To his credit, LeBron has shown zero qualms with teaming up with some his past foils (Rondo, for example), and Brooks *is* a good player. He needs a fresh start -- and a humbling one -- the Lakers could be the perfect place for him to do a 1-year make-good deal.
Lakers were the first team that came to mind. They need to be on any half decent player available that might sign the type of contract they can offer.
 

Cellar-Door

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I would guess he gets rolled into a S&T to keep the salary slot. Plenty of teams will be interested, he's an annoyance, but also an NBA player still.

Memphis is going over the top because it makes a nice way to scapegoat him, and pretend that the rest of the team wasn't a problem, the fanbase can heap all the blame on Brooks
 

ifmanis5

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He needs to find a team where it's understood that he must take less than 10 shots a game. Basically PJ Tucker 2.0. But there's also the chance he's mentally broken.
Agree with above, Patsy Mode has been engaged by Memphis mgmt. That may actually end up motivating him to prove them wrong.
 

Jimbodandy

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The best part of this tweet is the juxtaposition with the photo. Brooks seemed genuinely surprised by the move.

Those pointing to the blame game here are accurate. Leaking this news now is akin to the leak yesterday about the Bruins goalie maybe playing with a torn groin/adductor (whatever it was). Someone with an agenda trying to make someone else look bad or good. Shams, like Woj, is a great mouthpiece.

I don't say any of this as a defense of Brooks, who's overrated and already on the downslope of a peak 1-DARKO career at 27yo.
 

Auger34

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I would guess he gets rolled into a S&T to keep the salary slot. Plenty of teams will be interested, he's an annoyance, but also an NBA player still.

Memphis is going over the top because it makes a nice way to scapegoat him, and pretend that the rest of the team wasn't a problem, the fanbase can heap all the blame on Brooks
Agreed on all counts there. I think this is all a cover to get everyone (people/fans/media) to not pay attention to Ja and just what a disaster he was off the court, even after he went somewhere for 9 days to handle “stress”…which according to him, amounted to basic breathing techniques you learn at beginners yoga at your local Y.

His lack of accountability and attempt to shift blame were very alarming. I have to imagine the organization is not confident at all in their Ja investment
 

Cellar-Door

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As a side note, this very public leaking to shit on your own player is another indication to me the Memphis isn't a serious franchise. It's not a surprise that their star is a mess off-court and their whole identity is front-running and no taking of responsibility. Bad cultures start at the top.
 

Pablo's TB Lover

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As a side note, this very public leaking to shit on your own player is another indication to me the Memphis isn't a serious franchise. It's not a surprise that their star is a mess off-court and their whole identity is front-running and no taking of responsibility. Bad cultures start at the top.
The contrast with how the Celtics seemed to leak very little from the top of the organization during the final Kyrie days and Ime versus the Grizzlies here (with a non-foundational piece even) seems stark.
 

HomeRunBaker

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It's true. He also misses shots. You could say that's his best skill.
I really disagree with this. Brooks greatest skill, by far, is his ability to be an elite wing defender on a championship level. The problem here is that this is not what he feels his game is….he truly believes he can be an elite two-way player. He’ll never reach his full potential as a defensive stud until he comes to grip with his lack of discipline offensively. Judging by his statement he’s nowhere close to this place at this point of his career.
 

Devizier

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I really disagree with this. Brooks greatest skill, by far, is his ability to be an elite wing defender on a championship level. The problem here is that this is not what he feels his game is….he truly believes he can be an elite two-way player. He’ll never reach his full potential as a defensive stud until he comes to grip with his lack of discipline offensively. Judging by his statement he’s nowhere close to this place at this point of his career.
I mean, I'm being facetious. I'm well aware of Brooks' defensive capabilities. But he's a terrible chucker and a negative player overall unless that changes. In other words, what you just wrote.
 

BigSoxFan

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He could be a Danny Green for the next decade if he could get out of his way. Not nearly as good of a 3pt shooter as Green but when you shoot like 31-32% from downtown last 2 years, maybe dial back your attitude a bit. He was previously 35-37% earlier in his career. Tells me he’s trying to do too much now.
 

Tony C

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Doesn't Jenkins have to be questioned both for putting Brooks on the court so much and seemingly not reining him in -- at least not successfully -- in terms of his shooting? In game 5 vs the Lakers they finally went to Kennard over Brooks and had great results (except that Kennard got injured). Brooks is an idiot but has a role on a good team, but it isn't the role he played in Memphis.
He needs to find a team where it's understood that he must take less than 10 shots a game. Basically PJ Tucker 2.0. But there's also the chance he's mentally broken.
Agree with above, Patsy Mode has been engaged by Memphis mgmt. That may actually end up motivating him to prove them wrong.
There is the possibility he's mentally broken. Was just awful vs the Lakers but, really, it's been a few years of decline with his shot.
 

PedroKsBambino

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It is definitely possible that saying this publicly is a sign Memphis doesn't get it, organizationally. They draft/develop well and agree there's some questions beyond those things.

It is also possible that they are saying it publicy because the other players in the lockerroom despise Brooks and the team thought it was productive to send a signal to them - not sure what else is going on for them in offseason, who is a FA, their overall relationship with Ja, etc. but this does have an implication for them too, which may or may not be the motivator
 

HomeRunBaker

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I mean, I'm being facetious. I'm well aware of Brooks' defensive capabilities. But he's a terrible chucker and a negative player overall unless that changes. In other words, what you just wrote.
Ah gotcha. I mean the guy has the ability to be really good but it’s from the neck up that’s preventing him from doing so. He isn’t the first.
 

deanx0

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So as anyone who would read this thread knows, Joel Embiid won the MVP award last night. One thing that caught my eye was the voting totals, included here:
64326

I think Embiid deserves the award, and both him and Giannis were included on all 100 ballots. But someone left Jokic off their ballot entirely. So one voter didn't think Jokic was a top *5* candidate for MVP.

This points to a thought I've always had (that will never happen), and that is there should be some sort of audit process for these voters in all sports, but particularly the NBA where so much money is tied to awards. I know some sportswriters use these voting positions as a "look at me--here's what I think!" opportunity, but those people should lose their voting privileges going forward.
 

TripleOT

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It is definitely possible that saying this publicly is a sign Memphis doesn't get it, organizationally. They draft/develop well and agree there's some questions beyond those things.

It is also possible that they are saying it publicy because the other players in the lockerroom despise Brooks and the team thought it was productive to send a signal to them - not sure what else is going on for them in offseason, who is a FA, their overall relationship with Ja, etc. but this does have an implication for them too, which may or may not be the motivator
If the Grizz didn’t have to try to play AD and the Lakers missing their two defensive centers, we might be having a different conversation about them, although their unearned brashness makes it fun.

A team like the Suns would be perfect for Brooks. If he can’t scare up a real contract offer, a one year minimum deal to re-establish himself there could be a good career move. However, a young team like the Rockets could feel the need to have at least one player who can play defense, and throw a little money at him.
 

TripleOT

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So as anyone who would read this thread knows, Joel Embiid won the MVP award last night. One thing that caught my eye was the voting totals, included here:
View attachment 64326

I think Embiid deserves the award, and both him and Giannis were included on all 100 ballots. But someone left Jokic off their ballot entirely. So one voter didn't think Jokic was a top *5* candidate for MVP.

This points to a thought I've always had (that will never happen), and that is there should be some sort of audit process for these voters in all sports, but particularly the NBA where so much money is tied to awards. I know some sportswriters use these voting positions as a "look at me--here's what I think!" opportunity, but those people should lose their voting privileges going forward.
Tatum should ascend to MVP in the next couple of seasons.
 

Jimbodandy

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So as anyone who would read this thread knows, Joel Embiid won the MVP award last night. One thing that caught my eye was the voting totals, included here:
View attachment 64326

I think Embiid deserves the award, and both him and Giannis were included on all 100 ballots. But someone left Jokic off their ballot entirely. So one voter didn't think Jokic was a top *5* candidate for MVP.

This points to a thought I've always had (that will never happen), and that is there should be some sort of audit process for these voters in all sports, but particularly the NBA where so much money is tied to awards. I know some sportswriters use these voting positions as a "look at me--here's what I think!" opportunity, but those people should lose their voting privileges going forward.
This. Anyone who is in the 1% either for or against a guy altogether should be whacked. Maybe you get one lifetime "look at me" vote, but that's it. I'd be fine with a one-time exemption for a guy trying to make a political point (e.g., the first guy who voted for Jackie Robinson, etc.). But people who make a mockery of the voting shouldn't have a vote.
 

PedroKsBambino

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This. Anyone who is in the 1% either for or against a guy altogether should be whacked. Maybe you get one lifetime "look at me" vote, but that's it. I'd be fine with a one-time exemption for a guy trying to make a political point (e.g., the first guy who voted for Jackie Robinson, etc.). But people who make a mockery of the voting shouldn't have a vote.
LaVelle Neal III or George King has a NBA MVP vote too?
 

Auger34

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This. Anyone who is in the 1% either for or against a guy altogether should be whacked. Maybe you get one lifetime "look at me" vote, but that's it. I'd be fine with a one-time exemption for a guy trying to make a political point (e.g., the first guy who voted for Jackie Robinson, etc.). But people who make a mockery of the voting shouldn't have a vote.
Whoever didn’t put Jokic in their top 5 should be stripped of their ballot. That’s completely inexcusable, stupid, and (as you said) makes a mockery of something the NBA wants to be taken seriously.

There’s literally no defense for that. People should know who voted for who so that voter can be publicly shamed
 

djbayko

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Whoever didn’t put Jokic in their top 5 should be stripped of their ballot. That’s completely inexcusable, stupid, and (as you said) makes a mockery of something the NBA wants to be taken seriously.

There’s literally no defense for that. People should know who voted for who so that voter can be publicly shamed
Ballots have been released in past years, so we should find out who it is.
 

Just a bit outside

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If the Grizz didn’t have to try to play AD and the Lakers missing their two defensive centers, we might be having a different conversation about them, although their unearned brashness makes it fun.

A team like the Suns would be perfect for Brooks. If he can’t scare up a real contract offer, a one year minimum deal to re-establish himself there could be a good career move. However, a young team like the Rockets could feel the need to have at least one player who can play defense, and throw a little money at him.
I can’t imagine a team like the Rockets want to put young players around Dillon Brooks. He would feel empowered to take even more shots as the “veteran leader”.
 

Auger34

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I can’t imagine a team like the Rockets want to put young players around Dillon Brooks. He would feel empowered to take even more shots as the “veteran leader”.
Yeah, he’s going to go to a veteran team and it just comes down to who can pay him the most.
LAL-DAL-PHX-MIL-MIA-CLE all could really use a player like him
 

Van Everyman

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So as anyone who would read this thread knows, Joel Embiid won the MVP award last night. One thing that caught my eye was the voting totals, included here:
View attachment 64326

I think Embiid deserves the award, and both him and Giannis were included on all 100 ballots. But someone left Jokic off their ballot entirely. So one voter didn't think Jokic was a top *5* candidate for MVP.

This points to a thought I've always had (that will never happen), and that is there should be some sort of audit process for these voters in all sports, but particularly the NBA where so much money is tied to awards. I know some sportswriters use these voting positions as a "look at me--here's what I think!" opportunity, but those people should lose their voting privileges going forward.
I know Harden seems like a jerk -- and it's kind of fashionable to hate on Embiid. But this is adorable:

https://www.tiktok.com/@sixers/video/7229054345470348587?_r=1&_t=8c1XGnZNfFC&social_sharing=v2

(h/t to my daughter for sending)
 

TripleOT

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What have you done for me lately, Coach Bud?
Nurse needed in Milwaukee, stat?
 

Cellar-Door

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Was obvious that was coming from the minute Giannis complained about adjustments post-series
 

HomeRunBaker

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Coach Bud no longer in Milwaukee. How silly does the Giannis “we didn’t fail” speech look now? Well, it was silly then and only a matter of time before it became sillier.

Jalen on ESPN saying the Bucks lost bc they really missed Darvin Ham. Yeah uh, ok.
 

Cellar-Door

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Coach Bud no longer in Milwaukee. How silly does the Giannis “we didn’t fail” speech look now? Well, it was silly then and only a matter of time before it became sillier.

Jalen on ESPN saying the Bucks lost bc they really missed Darvin Ham. Yeah uh, ok.
It's a process and they learned something important... A kind of fluky title run didn't actually make Bud a different coach from the one on the brink of firing back then
 

Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat

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It's a process and they learned something important... A kind of fluky title run didn't actually make Bud a different coach from the one on the brink of firing back then
I have a couple diehard Milwaukee sports fan friends, and while they were obviously thrilled with the title, they were also a little bit sad that it meant Bud would be hanging around.
 

DeadlySplitter

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I feel bad about Bud's family tragedy in the series, but this move had to happen.

Wouldn't be surprised if Nurse is hired within two weeks of today.